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#cruiserracing – The three day ICRA Nationals begin next Friday (June 13th) at the Royal Irish YC in Dun Laoghaire. The entry of one hundred and eleven boats from all parts of Ireland will inevitably see the numbers emphasis on the large home fleet, but W M Nixon reckons this will make the visiting rock stars try even harder.

The Spirit 54 Soufriere would attract admiring attention in any fleet. And under Stephen O'Flaherty's enthusiastic ownership, she has frequently made the scene - often with racing success – in classic yacht events. Nevertheless, to take this long and shapely beauty into the cut and thrust of Ireland's top national cruiser-racer championship is a truly sporting gesture. But as a star in a James Bond movie, Soufriere is accustomed to mixing the rough with the smooth.

It was in Casino Royale (2006) that Soufriere made her debut on the Tinseltown stage, sailing serenely into Venice with Daniel Craig as 007 taking the helm from co-star Eva Green. But it's far from the sheltered waters of the Serenissima that Soufriere will be competing in six day's time, yet her crew and the hundreds of other sailors who are shaping up for the ICRA Nationals 2014 on Dublin Bay will be hoping for a happy mix of good weather and decent sailing breezes to put away some high quality sport.

With six days to go, forecasters are reluctant to firm up their opinions on the expected state of the fickle Irish weather, particularly as it operates in the peculiar climatic laboratory which is Dublin Bay. But the folk who put their faith in anticipated Polar Jetstream movements are encouraged by fairly clearcut suggestions that this indicator and activator of our meteorology may finally be moving northwards towards its proper summer position by next weekend. But whether or not it does so in time to significantly benefit the ICRA Nationals is currently a moot point.

Whatever, the most recent charts we've seen have been showing a marked tendency towards southwest to northwest winds six days hence. You might well think that would provide a steady breeze coming down the Liffey Valley and out across the bay for splendid sailing on relatively smooth water. But as dear old Dublin town heats up with the summer temperatures building towards Bloomsday on June 16th, all sorts of quirks can be introduced into the weather, with afternoon sea breezes with varying touches of east in them playing havoc across the underlying gradient.

As for the Jetstream, the least we can hope for is that it won't be lying across Ireland. Ideally, its underlying path will be swirling away northwards. But if it has settled down unseasonably far south to make life disagreeable in northwest Spain or even across France, then we might just get lucky, as Scotland was in 2012, when they'd superb weather while Ireland had an unpleasant summer with the Jetstream like a nasty girdle across Munster.

Either way, we can do nothing about it. But as last summer's late-forecast arrival of good weather in time for the four day Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta showed, "Here Comes Summer!" is sailing's greatest recruiting slogan. Fleet numbers soared in a last minute rush, and boats which had spent the early part of the season with a shortage of hands found themselves almost embarassed by the arrival on board of willing crewpersons seeking any escape from the heat of the city.

ICRA boats being an altogether more serious proposition than casual local classes, it's likely that the total is pretty well fixed at this stage. But for those who batter around the high seas in weather good and bad from season's start in April, they surely deserve a reward in good sailing after a mix of 2014 weather which, so far, could most kindly be described as "interesting".

The ICRA Nationals 2014 are being hosted by the Royal Irish YC from their wellnigh perfect location within Dun Laoghaire marina, where their fine neo-classical building of 1851 vintage (it's the world's oldest complete purpose-designed yacht club premises) is conveniently positioned beside totally sheltered modern waterfront facilities, yet within easy reach of the open sailing waters of Dublin Bay.

The club in turn have brought in sponsorship for the ICRA Nats from Teng Tools, a company whose management have been long involved in offshore racing success, with Alan Crosbie of TT sailing in this event aboard the vintage Mills-designed Quarter Tonner Quest, a boat of contemporary relevance whose history includes association with such luminaries of Irish sailing as Marcus Hutchinson and Gordon Maguire.

Thanks to Dublin Bay's time-honoured tradition of enthusiastically racing boats which in most other sailing areas would be seen only as cruisers, the entry list includes the usual mix of modern performance craft from builders such as X Yachts of Denmark, J Boats of America, Elan of Slovenia, Beneteau and Jeanneau of France, and Hanse and Bavaria of Germany, and they'll be lining up with venerable cruisers such as the vintage Nich 31 Saki and others such as Soufriere for whom success is a bonus to be treasured in the simple pleasure of sailing a comfortable much-loved boat.

The Nich 31 Saki is regularly raced in Dublin Bay, and for the ICRA Nationals she'll be competing in Class 4 against the likes of First 211s and a Hunter Sonata. Photo: David O'Brien

For those who are looking for razor-sharp virtually boat-for-boat racing, Class 1 is surely the place to be, where the active fleet of Dublin Bay J/109s, rating around the 1.015 to 1.017 mark, find themselves head to head with last year's ICRA Nats star performer, Philip Byrne's XP 33 Bon Exemple from the host club, whose helming lineup includes current Irish Champion Ben Duncan.

However, inter-area rivalry is a great spur to success, and the pride of Fingal, Pat Kelly's J/109 Storm from Rush SC, has several years of ICRA success under her belt, including the Boat of the Year title. Another 'out of Bay' challenger in the J/109s is Ian Nagle's Jelly Baby from the Royal Cork, so it will be wall-to-wall J/109s in Division 1, a formidable prospect for one of the smallest boat in the class, Denis Hewitt and partners' Mills 30CR Raptor, whose personnel includes top ICRA mover and shaker Fintan Cairns.

The J/109 has proven an ideal size for Dublin Bay and Irish Sea racing. Photo: David O'Brien

Father and son team of Neil and George Kenefick from Crosshaven will be campaigning their Quarter Tonner Tiger as Nathan Kirwan Trust during the ICRA Nats. Photo: Bob Bateman

The Dun Laoghaire emphasis in the fleet is an added peformance incentive for any visitors, and great things are expected in Division 3 from the Kenefick family's hot Quarter Tonner Tiger from Cork, which races this series as Nathan Kirwan Trust with former champion helm George Kenefick on the helm. Another visitor which has been making waves in the Irish Sea this year is the Shannon Estuary-based Dehler 34 Big Deal (Derek Dillon, Foynes YC), which has been scoring success in ISORA racing as part of the buildup to participation in the Round Ireland Race in three weeks time. The Dehler 34 has been around since 1980 or so, but this well-engineered cruiser-racer has deservedly proven an enduring success in Irish waters.

Further down the size scale, there's an impressive turnout of Corby 25s racing against Big Deal in Division 2 where winning will be an impressive notch in the bedpost as the lineup includes Anthony Gore-Grimes' regularly successful X 302 Dux from Howth, while Division 3 sees the continuing friendly (well, fairly friendly) war between vintage Quarter Tonners and J/24s such as Flor O'Driscoll's Hard on Port.

Anthony Gore-Grimes' X 302 Dux has been a regular and successful participant in ICRA events for many years. Photo: Bob Bateman

As for the Corinthians sailing non-spinnaker in Divisions 5 & 6, Eastsiders are pinning their hopes on the two extra-keen Howth boats. David Sargent's Elan 33 Indulgence, and the veteran Club Shamrock Demelza aboard which Windsor Laudan and Steffi Ennis have turned white-sail racing into an art, and a very successful one at that.

Transparency is all. George Sisk and his seasoned crew aboard the Farr 42 WOW will be racing with the second-highest rating in the fleet. Photo: W M Nixon

Up among the biggies in Division 0, Soufriere at 54ft is longest of all, and the highest rated at 1.135, but close astern is George Sisk's Farr 42 WOW, which rates 1.124. This provides a challenge for her senior crew, though we're assured that WOW doesn't stand for "We Ould Wans". Quite. There's a good outside challenge here with Denise Phelan's potent Mills 36 Jump Juice from Cork, the XP38i Roxstar (Findlay & Anderson) from the Clyde, the Corby 40 Converting Machine (Dave Cummaford) from Pwllheli, the pride of Arklow which is the Tyrell family's J/122 Aquelina, ICRA Commodore Nobby Reilly's Mills 36 Crazy Horse from Howth, and Lynx, Martin Breen's Reflex 38 which sails thousands of sea miles, many of them with racing success, for the honour of Galway Bay SC.

The Tyrrell family's J/122 Aquelina from Artklow is an active contender throughout the season. Photo: W M Nixon

The main man. Nobby Reilly of Howth, Commodore of ICRA, at the helm of his Mills 36 Crazy Horse. Photo: Bob Bateman

Martin Breen's Reflex 38 Lynx from Galway, seen here racing round Ireland, will be hoping to add ICRA success to her established offshore achievements.

Thus the lineup is what you'd expect of a sailing community emerging from several years of economic recession. There are few if any brand new boats, only a small group are travelling any significant distance to take part, and within the local fleet, as with the visitors, there's a marked emphasis on well-loved boats which have been with their owners for quite some time, but are continuing to give excellent value and great sport for the day that's in it.

And finally, if you don't believe a word about Soufriere being in a James Bond movie, here's the clip from Casino Royale. Soufriere was already being built when the request for her use in the film came through. But who could decline such a thing? It's even better than having a genuine Beken photograph of your boat.

Once upon a time, back in 1990, I sailed into Venice and motored right up the crowded Grand Canal as far as the Rialto Bridge with the late great Brian Hegarty on the Hallberg Rassy 42 ketch Safari of Howth. We'd a better time of it than poor old James Bond. We didn't have to waste time with the distraction of writing resignation letters on the laptop. For we were on our holliers, and believe me, arriving in Venice in the morning sunshine on a fine cruising yacht merits your full attention. It is one of life's great and magical experiences.

Meanwhile, back in Dublin Bay, first gun in ICRA Nats 2014 is at 1055hrs Friday June 13th, racing continues through Sunday May 15th, right hand side of the boat continues to be starboard, and the wind being on it usually confers right of way.

ICRA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2014, 13th to 15th June 2014 ENTRIES (AS AT 6/6/14)

Division

Sail No

Boat

Type of Boat

Club

IRC

0

IRL9852

Crazy Horse

Mills 36

HYC

1.084

0

IRL5718

Loose Change

IMX 40

RIYC

1.073

0

IRL1974

Soufriere

Spirit

RIYC

1.135

0

IRL4208

WOW

Farr 42

RIYC

1.124

0

IRL1644

Lively Lady

First 44.7

RIYC

1.107

0

IRL2007

Jump Juice

Ker 37

RCYC

1.103

0

GBR6940R

Converting Machine

Corby 40

Pwllheli SC

1.095

0

IRL1281

Aquelina

J-122

Arklow SC

1.083

0

GBR4041R

First Forty licks

First 40

East Down YC

1.080

0

GBR8038R

Roxstar

XP 38i

Clyde CC

1.077

0

IRL4007

Tsunami

First 40.7

NYC

1.055

0

IRL7386

Lynx

Reflex 38

GBSC

1.051

-

1

EI1906

ZURI

Hanse 37

Carlingford SC

#N/A

1

IRL3511

Adventure

A35

GSC

#N/A

1

IRL638

State O’ Chassis

Sigma 38

RIYC

#N/A

1

IRL3307

Rockabill V

Corby 33

RIYC

1.041

1

IRL3709

Axiom

X 37

RIYC

1.035

1

IRL3061

Fools Gold

A35

WHSC

1.028

1

IRL9609

Jelly Baby

J109

RCYC

1.027

1

IRL28898

Powder Monkey

J109

NYC

1.025

1

IRL7778

Gringo

A 35

NYC

1.024

1

IRL811

Raptor

Mills 30CR

RIYC

1.020

1

IRL1141

Storm

J109

HYC/Rush SC

1.017

1

IRL8088

Jedi

J109

RIYC

1.017

1

IRL1206

Joker II

J109

RIYC

1.017

1

GBR8933R

Bon Exemple

XP 33

RIYC

1.016

1

IRL1383

Ruth

J109

NYC

1.015

1

GBR9047R

Mojito

J109

Pwllheli SC

1.015

1

IRL1129

Jump The Gun

J109

RIYC

1.014

1

IRL9898

Indecision

J109

RIYC

1.013

1

IRL29213

Something Else

J109

NYC

1.013

1

IRL7991

Jigamaree

J109

RIYC

1.011

1

GBR8609R

Jetstream

J109

NYC

1.009

1

GBR2620L

Fox in Sox

X 34

RIYC

1.003

1

IRL3471

Black Velvet

First 34.7

RIYC

1.001

1

IRL1367

Boomerang

First 36.7

RStGYC

1.000

1

IRL3470

Flashback

First 34.7

HYC

0.989

-

2

IRL1310

After You Too

Beneteau 31.7

RStGYC

#N/A

2

IRL3438

Albireo

Swan 371

RIYC

#N/A

2

IRL7317

Attitude

First 31.7

RIYC

#N/A

2

GBR8747T

Movistar Bleu

Elan 333

Killyleagh YC

0.967

2

IRL7284

Red Rhum

Dehler DB1

RStGYC

0.967

2

IRL8750

Jester

J 80

NYC

0.957

2

IRL1188

Utopia

X 3/4 Ton

DL Marina

0.956

2

IRL8094

King One

Half Tonner

HYC

0.953

2

IRL6909

Extreme Reality

Beneteau 31.7

RIYC

0.952

2

FRA079

Graduate

J 80

RIYC

0.952

2

IRL993

Prima Nocte

Beneteau 31.7

RIYC

0.950

2

IRL4170

SLACK ALICE

GK Westerly 34

WHSC

0.949

2

GBR66R

Checkmate XV

Humphreys Half Tonner

RStGYC

0.943

2

IRL5522

The Big Picture

Mg30

HYC

0.942

2

IRL8223

Kamikaze

Sunfast 32

RStGYC

0.941

2

IRL2552

Fusion

Corby 25

HYC

0.935

2

IRL2506

Alpaca3

Corby 25

RCYC

0.931

2

IRL2507

Impetuous

Corby 25

HYC

0.930

2

IRL3492

Big Deal

Dehler 34

Foynes YC

0.929

2

IRL2525

Tribal

Corby 25

GBSC

0.929

2

IRL25007

Smile

Corby 25

GBSC

0.929

2

IRL988

DUX

X-302

HYC

0.929

2

IRL7495

Maximus

X-302

HYC/WHSC

0.925

2

IRL521

Bendemeer

Beneteau First 325

RStGYC

0.925

2

IRL1103

Solgari Viking

X-302

HYC

0.923

-

3

GBR8148

Squawk

Sigma 33 ood

BYC/RUYC

#N/A

3

I8709

Cri-Cri

Quarter Tonner

RIYC

#N/A

3

ITA10767

Don Giovanni

Ceccarelli

HYC

#N/A

3

IRL9311

Borraine

Aphrodite 101

RIYC

#N/A

3

IRL4384

Django

J24

Lough Ree YC

#N/A

3

IRL5795

Black Sheep

Mustang 30

NYC

0.919

3

GBR5507T

Peridot

Mustang 30

RIYC

0.916

3

IRL4464

Springer

Sigma 33 ood

RStGYC

0.912

3

IRL4536

Elandra

Sigma 33

DL Marina

0.912

3

IRL4633

White Mischief

Sigma 33 ood

RIYC

0.911

3

IRL34218

Lady Rowena

Sadler 34

RStGYC

0.911

3

IRL999999

Nathan Kirwan Trust

1/4 ton

RCYC

0.907

3

IRL508

Quest

1/4 ton

RIYC

0.905

3

FRA9186

Cartoon

Quarter Tonner

RIYC

0.902

3

IRL8188

Alliance II

Laser 28

HYC

0.896

3

IRL4533

Crazy Horse

J24

Sligo SC

0.887

3

IRL680

Euro Car Parks Kilcullen

J24

HYC

0.887

3

IRL4794

Hard on Port

J24

RStGYC

0.887

3

IRL9508

Huggy Bear

Impala 28ood

NYC

0.884

3

IRL728

Maximus

J24

Foynes YC

0.884

3

IRL851

Taiscealai

Club Shamrock

RIYC

0.876

3

IRL7500

Supernova

Quarter Tonner

RIYC

0.870

-

4

IRL1208

Capilano

Beneteau First 211

RIYC

#N/A

4

IRL2121

Chinook

Beneteau First 211

RIYC

#N/A

4

IRL2111

Syzrgy

Beneteau First 211

RStGYC

#N/A

4

307

Wynward

Beneteau First

RIYC

#N/A

4

IRL246

Saki

Nicholson 31

RIYC

#N/A

4

IRL6556

Challenger

Challenger Europe

HYC

#N/A

4

IRL1689

Chouskikou

First 28

DL Marina

0.870

4

8245N

Asterix

Hunter Sonata

DL Marina

0.823

-

Non-spinnaker Corinthian Cup

5

IRL37747

Windshift

Sunfast 37

RStGYC

#N/A

5

IRL607

Effex II

First 35

RIYC

#N/A

5

IRL532

Orna

Grand Soleil 40

NYC

1.021

5

IRL3506

Just Jasmin

Bavaria Match 35

RIYC/DMYC

0.995

5

IRL8478

Warrior

Beneteau 34.7

ISA-DBSC

0.984

5

IRL1357

Humdinger

Sunfast 37

Carlingford SC

0.972

5

IRL3339

Indulgence

Elan 333

HYC

0.958

5

IRL1333

White Lotus

Elan 333

DL Marina

0.957

5

IRL3400

Brazen Hussy

Dufour 34

HYC

0.950

5

IRL5687

To Infinity and Beyond

Dehler 37 CR

RStGYC

0.949

-

6

IRL1217

The Great Escape

Bavaria 33

RIYC

#N/A

6

IRL1309

Syledis in blue

Beneteau oceanis clipper 323 LK

Bray SC

#N/A

6

IRL5013

Sweet Martini

She 31

RStGYC

#N/A

6

IRL966

More Mischief

Beneteau First 310

DL Marina

#N/A

6

IRL2860

Pure Magic

Feeling 286 Special

Bray SC

#N/A

6

IRL1166

Edenpark

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey

RIYC

0.977

6

IRL5643

Calypso

Beneteau Oceanis 361

RStGYC

0.928

6

IRL1502

Vespucci

Dehler 31

RIYC

0.876

6

IRL100

Demelza

Club Shamrock

HYC

0.875

A PDF version of this entry list (with owners names) is available to download below

#waterwags – The Royal Irish Yacht Club Regatta on Wednesday 21st May was earlier than usual. 22 Water Wags turned up to compete in the regatta race of 5 laps of a windward leeward course. Tom Hudson, race officer, decided to split the large fleet with Division 2 starting 3 minutes before the rest of the fleet. It was a wonderful evening with sunshine, a high tide and 8-10 knots of wind.

Polly, Penelope, Sprite, Chloe, and Nandor headed up the first beat towards a mark laid off the bandstand. Soon Nandor had to retire with broken gear but it was Fergus Cullen and Alice Walsh in Penelope who led the fleet around the first mark, by a large margin.Three minutes later Division 1A and 1B stated together. There was a minor pile up on the start line when somebody caught a boom end on another boats shroud. On the first beat there was good steady wind both on the north side of the harbour near the harbour mouth and also inshore where there was some tidal flow benefit running east out of the marina. David and Sally MacFarlane in Moosmie led the second group around the windward mark. At the leeward gate almost all the fleet except Penelope took the southern mark of the leeward gate. On the second beat conditions were similar to the first but Penelope continued to hold her lead. By the third round the tidal advantage inshore was increasing, but the wind there was becoming more fickle and the best course was to tack immediately after rounding the Southern gate mark, and stay in the stronger wind. Again on the fourth beat followed the pattern of declining wind near the marina wall. By the last beat Moosmie had taken over the lead and won the race with Mollie second and Swift third. It was almost a dead heat between Barbara, Tortoise and Pansy on the finish line after five laps of the harbour.Division 1B was won by Bairbre Stewart and David Corcoran in Freddie.Division 2 was won by Polly who featured a wonderful Norwegian Blue Parrot on her spinnaker. A sailing Supper and prize giving was held in the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

#sb20 – A solid breeze of 12 to 15 knots made up for the overcast and somewhat unseasonal chill in the air. Seven SB20s made the start line for the Royal Irish Regatta and were treated to two races on a windward leeward course, each consisting of 3 rounds.

A slight pin end bias became exaggerated during the starting sequence for race 1 with the majority of the fleet towards the pin for the off. Manamana (Graeme Grant, Ronan Downing, Joseph Murphy) lead off the line closely followed by Timber (helmed by Alan McNabb with Marty Cuppage in the middle) and Venuesworld (helmed by Ger Dempsey with his nephew Rory onboard) carrying on on starboard tack. Sacrebleu and Probably lead the rest of the fleet out right on the lifted tack. Manamana tacked off into the middle of the course to cover the split but found less breeze. Timber had a healthy lead by the weather mark with Manamana, Probably and Venuesworld scrapping it out for second and rounding together. With the wind out of the North East and the waves out of the east, the starboard gybe was on a plane. Less wind at the leeward mark made finding an accurate gybe angle next to impossible. Timber lead to the leeward mark followed by Manamana with Venuesworld in hot pursuit. Timber carried on on port tack on what appeared to be a small left shift with Manamana learning their lesson from the first beat and heading out left for more breeze. Manamana and Venuesworld fought it out for the lead at the next weather mark with Manamana stealing the lead by barely eeking around the weather mark and forcing Venuesworld to dip their stern. Positions remained unchanged for the first two with Bad Kilcullen (Gerry Dowling, Dave Barry, Jimmy Dowling) storming through the pack to take third.

After some quick repairs on Sacrebleu (it is never ideal to have to take your main sail down) the fleet got away off another pin end biased line. After a pile up at the pin, Manamana lead Bad Kilcullen out to the left side of the course with much cross tacking and dipping in their wake. With a solid 15 plus knots of breeze for the second race the entire fleet enjoyed the downwind legs planing and playing dodgems with the other classes on our course. In a less eventful race at the front of the fleet, Manamana lead Bad Kilcullen to the finish with Venuesworld taking third which is the order the top 3 finished for the regatta.

Despite the inclement weather, a large turnout remained at the club for refreshments and to cheer on the winners. The SB20 fleet winners where honoured to accept the Baker Cup.

With an 11:25 warning signal for the first race and a second race to be completed back to back it'll be a packed day for sailors!

There is a comprehensive social programme for sailors, non-sailors and especially juniors including a creche for 1 year olds and up, an Irish National Sailing School Pirates Adventure Day for older kids and RS Fevas are very welcome in the PY fleet.

#cruiserracing – The current entry of 98 boats for the ICRA National Championships at the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC) (sorted by club below) reveals a wide distribution of entries from all over the Irish coastline and beyond. Although some areas are weaker than others (none from Kinsale for example), there are very few ports with no representation.

As forecast, the championships, a highlight of the sailing season, looks set to break the record of 125 entries previously set in Howth. Encouragingly, the entry a month ago stood at 42 but by April 30th it had increased to 72 IRC cruiser and 17 white sails. Today it has risen by another nine boats for the June 13 event.

In a show of strength from Royal Irish hosts 35 club boats are entered, a third of the total entry so far.

With 92 entries and up to 750 crews already slated, the Royal Irish hosted three day regatta looks set to break all records for the biggest cruiser–racer event of the season.

ICRA is to maintain its position of only one professional per boat in divisions zero and one but will attempt to distinguish between those professionals taking part in racing as a 'pastime' rather than as part of their 'business'. The common sense move to deal with the 'pro–trap' rule takes the form of a written declaration from any sailor so affected before the regatta sets sail on June 13.

#riyc – It's that time of year again when the Dun Laoghaire waterfront club regattas begin and In a change to the usual running order, the Top Security Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC) Regatta is scheduled for Saturday 24th May next. See regatta poster and entry form available to download below. That's Saturday fortnight so it's time to get yourself organised! This year, the regatta provides real value for money with two races using the ICRA Championship courses. There are courses for DBSC blue fleet keelboats, DBSC Red Fleet one design boats, SB20s, 1720 Ensign Class and for the DBSC Dinghy classes. In an addition this year, we are also having a start for the RS Class and Moths! If you would like to enter the Regatta please do so online now. Anybody interested in racing on the day will be happily accommodated on other Members' boats.

The theme is a Regatta for Everyone. Pop in with your friends for Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Barbecue or join in the fun at our 20 Something's evening event in the Wet Bar. Your friends and family are more than welcome to join in the fun. There will also be a delicious dinner served in the Dining Room. If you would like to book in for any of the social events please contact [email protected] You can see menus and our social programme here.

We also have a crèche kindly operated by Cocoon Killiney in the RIYC library for children of 1 and up. There is a Sailing Adventure day run by the Irish National Sailing School for 4 year olds and up, at a cost of €30.00.

#lasermasters – Defending Champion Thomas Chaix will be back on Dublin Bay to defend his 2014 Irish Laser Masters Championships along with other confirmed entries from Howth, Malahide, Cork and Ballyholme. The local Bay fleet aims to muster a strong contingent too so it's shaping up to be great event, according to organiser Paul Keane.

Racing will able available in standard, radial and 4.7 rigs. Sailors must be over 35 on the first day of the event.

Live fleet tracking is promised and Saturday's après race BBQ is included in the entry fee for the LogMeIn–sponsored event. More details can be found here.

According to the International Laser class, Masters racing is broken into four age divisions: Apprentice (35-44 years old), Master (45-54 years old), Grand Master (55-64 years old) and Great Grand Master (65+). At the highly competitive but very fun World Championships racing against competitors is only in one age division but elsewhere racing can be an all in affair.

#commodorescup – Royal Irish pair Michael Boyd and Niall Dowling from Dun Laoghaire have won the final "championship" weekend of the Warsash Spring Series in Hamble in Tarka with a 1,2,1,3,1,1 scoreline beating their rival Jim McGregor's "Premier Flair" who scored 2,1,2,1,3,2.

It was a tough weekend with 20 - 25 knots blowing over four long races on Saturday (+rain!) and then two slightly shorter races on Sunday. Dock time was 0800 Sat and we didn't get ashore until after 5pm - a very long day with lot's a battered and bruised bodies.

Sunday was sunny and not quite as breezy and after two lovely starts, we sailed well to claim both races - still plenty of room for improvement though!

It was our final weekend together before we take delivery of "Quokka" at the end of May so it was important for us to sail well and sign off on a high - which, thankfully, we did.